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huss
25-11-2010, 10:11 PM
Hi there, been planning this build for months and the time has finally come to get my 1976 Passat LS on the road. My Uni holidays just started today and now I got a deadline of 3 months to get the car in a mechanically A1 condition.

So today I managed to start the car after it was on its retirement holiday in the front yard for a couple years now. But it was not easy to persuade her to come back to work.

What I done first was recharge the battery the night before, but my dad decided I should test out this battery charger he got from cash converts, and what do you know, it didn't work. So I decided that to get the battery from my Mitsubishi magna.

After that debacle I tried to fire up the engine. So I recruited the help of my dad, who at the time was about to cement a post in the ground but figured it was more fun helping me. So we turned the key and got more than what we were expecting, a fuel line urinating fuel everywhere, I reckon it had more holes than swiss cheese. We found a hose suitable to do the job temporarily, we tried that and it still didn't run.

We found the problem to be that the spark plugs weren't firing. So we replaced them with the spark plugs from my other 1975 Passat TS. That still didnt work. After scratching our heads and reading the manuals we were still left clue less. So my dad made the executive decision to pull the leads and the distributor cover off the TS and put it on the LS to see if it starts. Still no luck. So we then tried to tune the the timing correctly, after hours of meddling with the car we were still getting no where. We then looked at the TS timing we realised that we were way off, so after some adjustments we tried and..........................nothing still. We scratched our heads read some more of the manual *realised it wasn't helping* drank some coffee then off to troubleshooting we went. at this point we thought that the coil might be broken. So we then replaced it with the one from the TS and the car started up like a fire in a paper factory.

NOTE to self: Having a functional running car exactly the same as the non-functional running car is a good idea and a god send.

At this point my dad told me to replace all the parts which we installed from the TS with the original LS parts to see what was at fault. After going through and testing and connecting all the various parts in various situations I ended up with all the original LS parts on the car (except for the spark plugs) and it was starting up and shutting down like it was brand new. I was dumbfounded.

I might as well add that I'm 18 and my knowledge of troubleshooting engines ain't that vast and my dad isn't a mechanical guru either, and trying to start the car up literally took us ALL DAY. And now with all the original parts back on, lets just say were both like WOW.

But I would call day 1 a success, I set out what I wanted to do, I started her up and she ran no problems not missing a beat, And most of all I learned something new which I will never forget.

Step 2, see whats wrong with the brakes. I know that I need new front pads and most likely rotors, and I need new drum brake hubs and shoes and gotta replace the cylinder. Any tips on that would be much appreciated. If I need any new brake parts I was planning on using these guys, their prices seem good and I've seen others in Australia who have used them, http://www.germanautoparts.com/

Hopefully I can get some pictures up in the next couple days.

Jace
25-11-2010, 10:28 PM
Sounds like me and my dad, but he just condescends me at every chance and tells me to give up haha.

There'll be a clutch&brake specialist close to you, their prices should be pretty close to what German auto parts will be with shipping factored in.

huss
25-11-2010, 10:49 PM
but he just condescends me at every chance and tells me to give up haha.

Did I forget to mention my dad does that too?? haha

Peter Jones
26-11-2010, 10:39 AM
Welcome aboard,

I've come to know a lot about B1 Passats take a look at my resto thread, it might answer a few questions.

http://www.vwwatercooled.org.au/f55/1980-b1-passat-project-24078.html

Passat brakes are basically the same as MK1 Golf brakes so all the upgrade options for MK1 Golf cam be appliied to Passat.

Also take a look at the US based Dasher Owners Group "DOG" forum D.O.G. (http://dog.mp3equipped.com/dog/)

See if you track down some GTI or Audi 80 discs & calipers for the front and some Cordoba drum setups for the rear. That'll modernise the brakes somewhat.

Feel free to fire any questions my way.

Best of luck,

Pete

huss
26-11-2010, 07:55 PM
Ok, so got some work done today, had other pics to upload but apparently there too BIG, ill figure it out how to upload them later, so for now check out the few pics i got.

http://img339.imageshack.us/img339/8652/p1020468c.th.jpg (http://img339.imageshack.us/i/p1020468c.jpg/)
http://img819.imageshack.us/img819/6453/p1020469s.th.jpg (http://img819.imageshack.us/i/p1020469s.jpg/)
http://img820.imageshack.us/img820/3923/p1020472j.th.jpg (http://img820.imageshack.us/i/p1020472j.jpg/)
http://img43.imageshack.us/img43/3328/p1020475nj.th.jpg (http://img43.imageshack.us/i/p1020475nj.jpg/)


Sorry for such crappy pics, will do better next time.

gldgti
26-11-2010, 09:13 PM
Welcome to the forum! Good to see another Passat on the mend, nice project and stick with it!

phaeton
27-11-2010, 06:15 AM
Welcome to the forum! Good to see another Passat on the mend, nice project and stick with it!

x2 I love B1 Passats :D

Dub Toffee
27-11-2010, 11:20 AM
great to see other kinds of vw getting some love :-) Go for it, what an awesome uni holiday project!! will be very rewarding hey :-)
cant wait to see it comeing along

huss
09-12-2010, 10:45 PM
Sorry guys, been lazy on this thread I started :facepalm: Not much has been getting done lately to the car. Will let you know whats been happening when something actually happens. Hopefully will post up some progress in another week or so.

Volksee77
09-12-2010, 11:49 PM
cheapest parts you will find for the car mate, most golf/rabbit parts will work for the passat
BusDepot.com - VW Bus / Camper / Vanagon / EuroVan Specialists (http://www.busdepot.com/)

huss
13-02-2011, 07:14 PM
Sorry for the lack of updates, Only had time to work on car since the 1st of Feb. and I have been going at it non stop.

First up was redoing the brakes so I can stop, and all us car drivers would know that stopping is an essential part of driving :D

Before

http://img137.imageshack.us/img137/7278/dscn3021.jpg

After

http://img143.imageshack.us/img143/9136/dscn3020.jpg

After After

http://img152.imageshack.us/img152/52/p1020634k.jpg

Electrical work, this also included rewiring the thermal fan.

http://img23.imageshack.us/img23/9978/dscn3047s.jpg

After hours of attempting to bleed the brakes it was finally time to lower the car and give her a drive for the first time since 2008.

http://img819.imageshack.us/img819/2874/dscn3042b.jpg

http://img713.imageshack.us/img713/8144/dscn3048g.jpg

http://img153.imageshack.us/img153/4821/dscn3049.jpg

huss
13-02-2011, 07:24 PM
A couple issues I needa sort out,

Needs major tune up.

Need a new starter motor, mine is on its last legs.

Over heats, I'm going to do a radiator flush and oil change, hopefully that fixes it. Otherwise Im not sure, My engine code is ZB and I'm running Bosch WR7DC spark plugs, I'm pretty sure that there the right ones but not 100% if someone can check please do, because I know that this car has had over heating issues with the wrong spark plugs being used.

Currently rubbing back a 98% non rusted boot lid, passat owners know how rare that is haha

Any spare parts anybody has at home send them my way haha but seriously I need them

Windows aren't scratched up. Also another rarity.

Hopefully more updates comming soon in the near future

huss
15-02-2011, 07:17 PM
Ok overheating problem solved, Turns out I had the connection on the thermo fan the wrong way round so the air was being pushed the wrong way. Yes I know stupid mistake, but I still soldier on.

tassie_euro_mk1
15-02-2011, 09:11 PM
Good progress dude. Its fun having these old cars to work on, gives you a great understanding of the basics. Its a lot more fun having to problem solve then plugging in a diagnostics computer to spit out errors, in my opinion. :)

Keep up the great work

huss
16-02-2011, 11:34 AM
OK so today I didn't get much done, so thought I'd do abit of a photo shoot,

So ENJOY.........

http://www.vwwatercooled.com.au/forums/images/imported/2011/02/2mdi8ue-1.jpg

http://www.vwwatercooled.com.au/forums/images/imported/2011/02/2s8sep2-1.jpg

http://img831.imageshack.us/img831/1692/p1020748w.jpg

http://img9.imageshack.us/img9/9726/p1020749z.jpg

http://img20.imageshack.us/img20/1282/p1020751v.jpg

DaveGLD
18-02-2011, 01:03 PM
Ace pics! I really like that Passat rear end, so many sweet sharp edges! :D

hjsimpson01
19-02-2011, 10:12 AM
I just love that TS - period.. :) Hey huss, did you lower the TS, or was it lowered when you bought it? if it was you, what did you use to get it lower? Angle grinder? I could not find anything to use on mine....

huss
19-02-2011, 01:09 PM
I gotta say the TS does look better in real life and goes hard for little 1.6L (My suggestion to all passat owners get extractors and a bigger carby, it'll pay off), cant wait till I find a 1.8L to stick in that.

As for the suspension I got it like that when I got the car, But all it is are just heavy duty shortened springs (makes for a stiff ride, but handles like its on rails) Any local spring manufacturer can create them, Just take your originals in and say what you want and they should be able to create, but it comes at a cost :) However you could always try with an angle grinder

Nick_80
04-03-2011, 11:53 AM
Good Work, you have to bring the TS out to the Day of the Volkswagen, i just got my pamphlet in the mail today,

glad i saved that boot lid for you... and that your doing something with it!

is the LS going to be when you have kids and the TS a weekend car? :P

huss
04-03-2011, 05:43 PM
Day of the Volkswagen hay, well sign me up, was thinking of going but not sure if you guys would be there, but I guess I'll head down now. Hope too see you and the boys there.

Would love to bring the LS down there, but needs a tune up and my mechanical capabilities and knowledge as well as my "tune up" specific tools are VERY VERY limited. hint hint...

Nick_80
05-03-2011, 02:08 AM
haha good work, i think ya still owe us a beer or 2 for that boot lid :) sounds good, we'll be good to see you there!

DaveGLD
06-03-2011, 09:23 PM
Hey all, just thought I'd mention that I was out at upullit Elizabeth today and there is an orange/red B1 Passat Wagon there that has just hit the yard - still 99% complete. Good if you need parts or panels - it actually looked pretty nice - was kind of a shame to see it there :(

Nick_80
08-03-2011, 01:34 PM
also a blue 4 door sedan down at the lonsdale u-pull it, good shape, few good pannels, lights, few decent windows aswell, it would of been worth saving, but the interior is shot

tassie_euro_mk1
08-03-2011, 05:05 PM
Blue one? havnt seen many blue ones kicking about. There was a mustard colour wagon B1 on the side of the road with no plates here in tassie. I was very tempted but lacked the room or the time for another project